Do people really control "the economy?" Does "the economy" control us? Or is "the economy" simply justification for doing whatever "we" -- the government, corporations or the people -- want? 

The first problem with the idea of being able to "control the economy" is that "money," it's basic currency, has become an illusion. Money is only "real" to those who believe they possess it, or "don't have enough." In the end, "not enough money" is an excuse for not doing something. There is always enough human effort and endurance to do what is necessary in the world, but never enough money for those who attempt to hoard it.

The second problem with the idea of "controlling the economy" is the belief that "money" (an illusion) is "power" (another illusion). Power is another excuse for violating others; it is only "real" when those upon whom power is being exercised acquiesce.

Why, then, do people feel the need to amass money or power? Isn't this tantamount to violation, or, in pop parliance, "violence?" 

I've often wondered where this seemingly "basic" human need, want or desire comes from. I think, in the spirit of Freud's colleague in psychology, Otto Rank, it has to do with being born and mortal.

Being born, we all learn that when one feels powerless, be it in body, mind, spirit, or more recently, finances, is the most certain way of getting what someone needs, wants or desires. Furthermore, mortality guarantees individual death, and, applying what little we know of this important "end-of-life transition" from what we experienced during our own birth, it will be "out of our control," and thereby "powerful" to the extreme -- violation or violence with the threat and fear of death. Maybe amassing money is an attempt to hold onto as many physical resources as one can, and, barring a financial defeat of death, amassing control over as much of the physical world as one can. Ultimately, both are fool's errands. Everyone is born, lives and dies, despite the illusion of money, power or control. 

But I think there's a more serious contemporary aspect to this foolishness: In the past, for those struggling with spirituality, there used to be organized religion. Yet, organized religion, regarded by many these days as a "social club" providing assuage against our inherent fears, appears increasingly morally corrupt. Just listen to the news. If religion can no longer provide succor in response to worship, then what is there in today's world to take it's place? The illusion of money, and, when one tires of that, power and control. It is the increasing tendency of our contemporary world to worship money, power, control, violation/violence that concerns me the most. I hope it concerns others, too.